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11. † ¶ My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12. † For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Prosperity and adversity in their wise mixture and proportion, form our present condition. Each is equally fruitful in opportunity of honouring the LORD; in prosperity — by the full consecration of our substance (Verses 9, 10); in adversity — by a humble and cheerful submission to his dispensation. ‘In prosperity it is well to expect the rod; and suppose it be his pleasure, let it not make thee either doubt of his gracious Providence, or out of impatience take any unlawful course to remove it from thee.’† His “exhortation” — the apostle reminds us — “speaketh to us, as unto children.”† And indeed, under no character does he approach so near to us, and endear himself so closely to us, as that of a Father. Most precious at all times, especially under correction, is the privilege of adoption — My son.
Nowhere, indeed, are our corruptions so manifest, or our graces so shining, as under the rod. We need it as much as our daily bread. Children of God are still children of Adam; with Adam's will, pride, independence, and waywardness. And nothing more distinctly requires Divine teaching and grace, than how to preserve in our behaviour the just mean between hardness and despondency; neither despising the chastening of the LORD, nor being weary of his correction.†
Too often, while we guard against an error on the right hand, we forget one not less hurtful on the left; like the man, who, in guarding against the precipice on the one side, rushes into some fearful hazard on the other. The middle path is the right path. Doubtless the Lord means his chastening to be felt. (2 Samuel 15:26. Psalm 39:10, 11.) A leviathan iron-heartedness (Job 41:24-29. Jeremiah 5:3) is the stubbornness of the flesh, not the triumph of the spirit; a frame most offensive to him, and most unseemly for the reception of his gracious discipline. To be as though no pain was felt or cared for; sullenly to “kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5. Compare chapter 19:3), and to dare God to do his worst — this is, indeed, to despise his chastening.† But pride will lift up the head, stiff and unbending: many a stroke does it require to bring it down.
Yet, alas! This is not the sin only of the ungodly. Often do we see the child of God in an undutiful spirit (Job 5:17. Hebrews 12:6), caring little whether his Father smiles or frowns. The chastening is lightly passed over. He considers only second causes, or immediate instruments. (Amos 3:6.) He is irritated by looking at the rod, rather than at the hand that inflicts it. (2 Chronicles 16:10-12.) He shrinks from searching into the cause. He disregards his Father's loving voice and purpose. Hence there is no softening humiliation (Psalm 32:3, 4); no “acceptance of the punishment of iniquity” (Leviticus 26:41, 43); no child-like submission; no exercise of faith in looking for support. Is not this to despise the chastening of the LORD?
But these rules imply much more than their negative meaning. Instead of despising, reverence the chastening of the LORD. Let it be a solemn remembrance to thee, that thou art under thy Father's correction. (Lamentations 3:28, 29. Micah 7:9.) Receive it then in good part. Instead of being weary of it, hang upon his chastening hand, and pour thy very soul into his bosom. (1 Samuel 1:10-15.) Kiss the rod. (Job 34:31, 32. 1 Peter 5:6.) Acknowledge its humbling, but enriching, benefit. (Psalm 119:67-71.) Expect a richer blessing from sustaining grace, than from the removal of the deprecated affliction. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10.)
After all we must add, that chastening is a trial to the flesh (Hebrews 12:11); yet overruled by wonder-working wisdom and faithfulness to an end above and contrary to its nature. This very rod was sent in love to the soul. Perhaps we were living at ease, or in heartless backsliding. The awakening voice called us to our Bible and to prayer. Thus eyeing God in it, we see it to be love, not wrath; receiving, not casting out. We might perhaps have wished it a little altered; that the weight had been shifted, and the cross a little smoothed where it pressed upon the shoulder. But now that our views are cleared, we discern blessing enough to swallow up the most poignant smart. We see the “needs-be,” for our preservation from imminent danger (Compare Chapter 1:32; Psalm 55:19), and for “the trial of our faith.” We come to an unhesitating verdict in favor of the absolute perfection of the dispensation. (Psalm 51:4; 119:75.) Faith understands the reasons of the discipline (1 Peter 1:6, 7); acknowledges it as a part of his gracious providence (Deuteronomy 8:2, 15, 16), and the provision of his everlasting covenant (Psalm 89:30-32); waits to see the end of the Lord (James 5:11); and meanwhile draws its main support from the seal of adoption.
For indeed it is the declared test of our legitimacy. (Hebrews 12:7, 8. Revelation 3:19.) He corrects whom he loves, the son in whom he delighteth. His discipline is that of the family; not of the school; much less of the prison. He corrects his children, not as criminals, but as those whom he beholds without spot, “made accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6.) Nor is there caprice, as too often with an earthly father, in his chastisement. (Hebrews 12:10.) It is wisdom in the spirit of love. “He rejoiceth over his child to do him good” (Jeremiah 32:41); yet as a wise and affectionate father, he would not suffer him to be ruined for want of correction. (Chapter 13:24. Deuteronomy 8:5.) It is correction — this is for your humbling. It is only correction — this is your consolation. The intolerable sting of penal infliction is removed. Here then the child has rest indeed!† The rod is now meekly, yea — thankfully borne, because it is in the hand of One supreme in wisdom as in love, who knows what is our need, and how to apply the discipline. He chooses the fittest time (Isaiah 30:18. 1 Peter 5:6), the surest yet gentlest means, the most considerate measure (Isaiah 27:7, 8. Jeremiah 30:11. Lamentations 3:31-33), the most effective instruments. And, comparing our affliction with our sin, is not the marvel that it is so light? (Ezra 9:13. Psalm 103:10. Lamentations 3:39.) Have we not more than deserved it all? ‘I love the rod of my heavenly Father’ — exclaimed the saintly Fletcher — ‘How gentle are the stripes I feel! How heavy those I deserve!’† ‘O God, I have made an ill use of thy mercies if I have not learnt to be content with thy correction.’†
Should he then at any dark season ask — “If it be so, why am I thus?” (Genesis 25:22) — you are thus, because this is your Father's training discipline for heaven.† He loves thee so well, that he will bestow all pains upon thee. He will melt thee in his furnace, that he may stamp thee with his image. (Isaiah 27:9; 48:10. Zechariah 13:9. Malachi 3:3.) He would make thee “partake of his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10), that thou mightest partake of his happiness. But unless thou enter into his mind, thou wilt, so far as thou canst, defeat his purpose, and lose the benefit — a loss never to be told.† (Compare Jeremiah 6:8.) Look then well into the dispensation. (Job 10:2. Psalm 139:23, 24. Ecclesiastes 7:14. Lamentations 3:40.) Every rod is thy Father's messenger; and he will not bear to have his messenger despised. Be anxious to “hear the rod, and who hath appointed it” (Micah 6:9); well knowing that “the Lord hath not done without cause all that he hath done.” (Ezekiel 14:23.) Be more concerned to have it sanctified than removed; yea, above all things deprecate its removal, until it has fully wrought its appointed work. (Isaiah 4:4.) We can but admire that considerate dispensation, which uses these “light” afflictions as the means of deliverance from the most deadly evil. Should flesh and blood rebel; should the earthly tabernacle shake with “the blow of his hand” (Psalm 39:10, ut supra): yet shalt thou bless him throughout eternity, that even by this crushing discipline he should accomplish his most merciful purpose. Meanwhile, give him unlimited confidence; and if some steps of the way are hid, wait and “see the end.” (Job 23:8-10; James 5:11.) Watch for the first whispers of his will, the first intimation of his Providence, the guidance of his eye. (Psalm 32:8, 9.) Many a stroke will thus be saved to thy peace and quietness. This indeed is a golden opportunity, requiring for its due improvement much study, prayer, and retirement. No communion is so close, so endearing, so fruitful, as with a chastening God. Never is Christ more precious to us; his love never more sweet, than in the midst, — yea, in the very form of chastening. Never have we so full a manifestation of the Divine character (Psalm 119:75), and perfections. What we have before learnt in theory, we here learn experimentally; and what we have before imperfectly understood, is here more fully revealed.† With regard to the full weight and duration of the trial, and all its minute circumstances, successively so bitter and piercing — we may ask — ‘Which of them could be spared?’ It is quite clear as to the whole time, the whole weight, the whole number and variety of circumstances that all and each were as necessary as any part. Where could we have stopped, without making that stop fatal to the great end? What does it all mean, but the Lord holding to his determination to save us; all the thoughts of his heart, every exercise of his power, centering in this purpose of his sovereign mercy?
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